Baby Baboons April 2012

Things have really shaken up in the baby baboon camp with the arrival of Bobby! 

Bobby came to us on February 12^th after being very well taken care of by a local family. The family found the baby lying on the ground clinging to his mother who had been shot dead and took him into their care. After a few weeks, they quickly realized that keeping a baboon as a pet was not a good idea. They had little children and they knew the baboon would soon get out of control. It was a wrench for them to let Bobby go, but they know he is in safe and loving hands here at N/a'an ku se.

Bobby spent his first month under constant love and care from Elzette and the volunteers. He was with people 24/7 to acclimatise to the environment and until he was older to join the other babies. Bobby, although a tiny baboon, has a big character and proved a handful as he ran riot around the kitchen lapa and food prep area. He had so much energy, he wore the volunteers out!

It quickly became apparent it was time for him to join the baby troop. He immediately fitted it with the group. Carola and Shauna take turns playing Mother, while Rafiki, Elvis and Rudie eagerly tease the little boy. With all the attention he gets from the other baboons, it’s doubtful he found the transition very difficult. He just loves riding around with Carola! He does however find the constant clinging onto Carola and Shauna quite tiring on his arm and leg muscles and so when the volunteers take him for the night, he is exhausted (much to their relief)!

He has made friends with Dara's new Jack Russell puppy, Alfie, and they play all the time on the grass area in front of the kitchen lapa. It's hilarious to watch the two jump and run around after each other - we're not sure if either of them realise their species!

Even with the new mothering duties, Carola still manages to take charge of her group and settle disagreements. On walks she is constantly making the rounds to check that no one is stepping out of line. But not to worry, she still makes time to give out a few of her signature gentle groomings.

Carola loves playing Mum to baby Bobby

Carola

Shauna continues to be her usual playful self. Shauna, acrobatic as ever, loves jumping out of trees onto unsuspecting volunteers. Shauna is also especially chatty lately and is always making jokes. Her new favorite game is trying to see how many teats she can steal during bottle time. Her current record is three! 

In an effort to assert himself as the dominant male, Rafiki has taken to “testing” everyone— baboons and people. On walks he if often found rushing past, only seen as a whirl of black and felt by a sting on your calf. Luckily though, Rafiki is winning and it looks like this nibbling phase is short lived.

Rafiki

Elvis has developed a new style for the walks, a trend that Marlice calls “the scarf.” Each walk he chooses a volunteer to lie on. He lays across your shoulders with his arms over one side and his legs over the other and his tummy on your neck, allowing him a great view and a comfortable yet stable lounging position. 

Elvis

Rudie is growing up so fast! He is barely smaller than Rafiki and Elvis now. But, his very gingery patch on his shoulders and wrinkly nose make him stand out still. He’s no longer the smallest in the group and is just as strong as the other boys. He is always up for a play fight! He also really enjoys his new friend Bobby.

Rudie

There have been some more renovations to the baby camp. They now have a new waterhole with a tap outside because they use up their water too quickly from all of their swimming. In order for Wildlife Coordinators Ollie, Stu and Keith to get the cement in, the babies were taken on a very long walk to the cheetah dam. Because the Juniors and Seniors love the mopane worms so much, Marlice decided to try to feed them to the babies on the way there. The babies were terrified of these fat, green, spikey caterpillars and puffed up and jumped as they poked it. It must just be an acquired delicacy for the baboons! The babies loved the long walk, or maybe rather carry, and jumped through puddles and mud, but boy were they tired when they got back!

 

 

Rafiki and Bobby playing